The Alpine Legacy

Emma Lord #12

by Mary Daheim

KILL THE COMPETITION

Emma Lord, editor and publisher of The Alpine Advocate, has never faced such cruel competition--especially not the fierce personal attacks mounted by Alpine's radical new publication, Crystal Clear. So when Crystal Bird, the editor, commits suicide, Emma sheds no tears. But Sheriff Milo Dodge determines that Crystal was murdered, and the little town is out for blood--namely, Emma's. Pursued by hate mail and flying bricks, Emma vows to draw some blood herself--from the enemy who set her up to take the fall. . . .

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Fiction, Cozy, Mystery Thriller

308 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published October 1, 1999

About the author

Mary Rene Richardson Daheim was an American writer of romance and mystery novels.

Reviews

[Elliott · Rating 2 out of 5]

if this were the first book I read from the series, I would never have read any of the rest of the series. I am not sure what we're supposed to think about Tom as readers - are we rooting for him and Emma? is he supposed to be a romantic figure in some way, who's thrilling to read about? as a character I find him dull, and he tends to bring out the things I least appreciate in Emma (spineless, whiny, immature) - which happens as usual in this book. it's just not fun to read, and I'm not sure what it's meant to accomplish (in terms of plot, meaning to the reader, etc). the killer was predictable, but the end of the book is such Big Drama that I'd typically have a more favorable review, but Tom was actually overshadowed by some absolutely heinous comments made by Emma about abortion. she indicates that anyone who gets an abortion has been somehow fooled by the Supreme Court. I'm not even sure what the argument is there, that people would otherwise not have wanted (or needed) abortions if the Supreme Court hadn't told them it was legal? stupid and offensive. I was already having a problem with the whole Tom-Sandra thing there, because Tom asserts that he thought Sandra would somehow become not mentally ill when she became pregnant, and despite reflecting on how much of a failure that was, he also asserts that his daughter can channel her need to care for others as a result of her traumatic childhood caring for her mother, into caring for her baby instead of getting the abortion she wanted. that is so toxic and gross. Emma's religion and her brother the priest have always been a part of the series, but not like this. I'm just upset because I have generally liked the characters in this and enjoyed reading the series. I will consider reading the next book, but if I feel the same way about it, I am done, and maybe after I process this more, I won't even bother. so many cozies don't appeal to me (writing, characters, etc), so it's a treat to find a series that is enjoyable to read... but that's not enough of a motivation to keep going, there are other series.

[A-bookworm · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like this series.

It's not great literature, or the best mysteries, but the main characters and their lives are enjoyable. In a mystery series like this you know it will get solved, this was the first one that I guessed correctly from early on BTW, so it's really about the people whose lives slowly progress through these "cozy" mysteries. Are they great, no, but they are fun.

[Jeanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

So there’s a lot wrong with this story and therefore I am glad it’s a one time read. I found this book in a hidden TBR pile in the back of a bookshelf. I disliked it for 2 reasons: anti abortion forced birth story line disgusted me; Dilantin is not and has never been used as a sedative- this throws the whole story off. Not reading any more from this author.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Did Ballantine Books lose all their editors and proofreaders? I don't know if the print version had as many errors as the digital version, but WOW. If they do still have editors and proofreaders, they shouldn't be working in the industry anymore. Aside from that, the story line was okay.

[Dana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Keeps you guessing.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...#

[Monica Mason · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another good one. These are like old friends to me. Been reading them pretty much in order for many years.

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did manage to identify the murderer in this mystery, but it is the back story and the characters that I love. The setting in snowy Washington State is also beautiful.

[Darinda · Rating 3 out of 5]

The 12th book in the Emma Lord series. A light, cozy mystery.

[Peggi Warner-Lalonde]

Another chapter in this interesting series. I haven't read any of these for a while, so perhaps I was not invested in the story as much as I may have been in the past. Still, a good read.

[Dale · Rating 3 out of 5]

ill bk Crystal Bird self-publishes a newsletter blasting Emma for herlack of leadership in Alpine.Crytsal is found dead in the hot tub. (Dec tiem frame) Tom surprise Emma but cuts his nvisit short due to his daughter having problems with her unmarried pregancy again Tom taking care of everyoone but Emma. Milo Dodge has a bit of jeasuludy when he sees Tom and Emma togetrh esp weekend getaway to Christmas town of Leavenworth Tom buys Emma a madonna.. Cjhristmas eve all alone Amber(step-daughter to Crystal) and her baby show up at Emma completing the Nativity

[Ailisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

So far, this book has got to be my favorite book of the series. Emma gets some nasty news competition in Alpine. When the competition is found dead in her own home and Emma is the one of the last people to see this person alive, she becomes the number one suspect. People are quick to turn on Emma when she's a murder suspect, and she has to figure out who really are her true friends. This book is filled with suspense, drama, love, relationships, and Tom Cavanaugh!

[Glenn Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Small town newspaper publisher/editor Emma Lord finds herself the prime suspect in the murder of a rival publisher. This series brings the fictional town of Alpine as vividly to life as any real town.

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice, light mystery series based in WA. Fun to read about small town folks and places I've visited.

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars for Emma's love life. Tom was in town. Did he stay? You will have to read the book......

[Patricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am reading this series primarily to "keep up with the characters." I get this way about some series.

[Pam Bales · Rating 3 out of 5]

Emma Lord is a publisher in a small fiction Washington town. This series is very a good, cozy read. It is also an alphabetical series.

[Cyndi Berve]

Another fun mystery in Alpine, WA

[Sharon Bezrutczyk · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just started this series and an catching up I really like it.this is my second read somehow I could not remember this one

[Sharon · Rating 2 out of 5]

Enough said.

[Catherine Woodman · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a competent if not exciting seres, and definitely one of my favorites by the author

[Bobbi Foster · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed the mystery part of the book but got a.little tired of Emma whining about her love life.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 - Very, Very Good